Goal 1. Student Success through Technical Education Programs

Improve the competitiveness of Central Georgia's workforce by increasing the number of students who benefit from quality technical college TCC (Technical Certificate of Credit), diploma, and associate degree programs.

Desired Long-term Outcome

Increase the number of CGTC students who enroll in, graduate from, and obtain employment related to TCC, diploma, and associate degree programs by 75% by FY2007.

Objectives

1A. Increase the numbers of CGTC students who enroll in, graduate from, and obtain jobs related to technical education credit programs through use of innovative recruitment, retention, instructional delivery, and job placement strategies each year. (Increase the graduation rate by 5% by FY2007 and maintain the job placement rate at 95% or higher each year.

1. Increase student enrollment by providing expanded and additional traditional and distance education programs that respond to changing employment market and student demands.
   
   
2. Ensure outstanding student learning outcomes by implementing a comprehensive improvement program that places and maintains CGTC'S instructional and instructional-support technology on the leading edge.
   
   
3. Increase enrollment by producing successful graduates, and publicizing their successes.
   
   
4. Retain students by continuing to improve academic and student support services that will help them achieve educational success.
   
   
5. Provide quality instruction in the general core courses that ensures graduates have attained required academic competencies.
   
   
6. Retain students by providing improved career guidance and program placement though development and implementation of a Career Guidance, Assessment, and Resource Center.
   
   
7. Continue to ensure high-level learning through quality instruction, emphasizing application-based learning.
   
   
8. Improve student enrollment and retention by making programs more accessible through flexible scheduling and formats such as weekend instruction and intensive courses.

1A1. Increase GVTC/CGTC distance education enrollments and course completions each year through expanded course offerings and online student services.

1. Expand distance learning program and course offerings by continuing to develop additional courseware and adapting commercially available courseware.
   
   
2. Develop and implement improved marketing and communications to increase student enrollment and enhance student success in distance learning courses.
   
   
3. Develop content engine capabilities to make all CGTC web-enhanced and web-based courses readily available at all CGTC sites and provide remote hands-on labs, as needed.

1A2. Increase the number of CGTC students who achieve information technology industry certification through technical education programs each year.

1. Expand the CGTC in-house testing center for information technology industry certifications and introduce new certifications as demand emerges.
   
   
2. Expand traditionally delivered and web-based specific-preparation courses for information technology industry certification testing.

1A3. Increase the number of CGTC students graduating from Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMS), Certified Customer Service Specialist (CCSS), Certified Construction Worker (CCW), Certified Distribution Warehouse Specialist (CDWS), and/or other Certified Training TCC programs each year.

1. Increase industry recognition and endorsement of CMS, CCSS, and CCW certifications
   
   
2. Increase high school enrollments in CMS, CCSS, and/or CCW programs throughout the service area.

1A4. Increase the number of CGTC graduates from industrial technology programs and every year by promoting an understanding of the value of careers in these fields.

1. Work with area employers to increase the number of students involved in work-based options for industrial technology programs by recruiting existing employees and by providing internship and coop opportunities for potential future employees.
   
   
2. Intensify work with high school teachers and counselors to promote careers in industrial technologies.
   
   
3. Increase enrollment in industrial technology programs through improved efforts to overcome career and gender stereotyping.

1B. Develop and implement an improved CGTC process for instructional development including assessment of program needs, development of new programs, and revision of existing programs.

1. Emphasize development of "post-degree" and advanced-skills programs that appeal to experienced workers and persons with prior postsecondary education and that meet specialized industrial, medical, and technological needs.
   
   
2. Emphasize development of programs that meet professional licensure and certification requirements.
   
   
3. Improve collaboration with the Department of Labor, chambers of commerce, industrial authorities, and small business development centers to determine programmatic needs.
   
   
4. Continue to work closely with business and industry to determine their specific needs and to create and revise programs specifically to address those needs.

1B1. Review and revise CGTC program offerings and curricula each year to provide "renovated" TCC, diploma, and degree technical programs that respond to current and emerging business and industry trends, meet employment market demands, reflect student interests and needs, and keep pace with technological change.

1. Rely on business and industry and program advisory committees to provide guidance concerning program revisions needed to meet employment market demand.

1B2. Facilitate the increased availability and responsiveness of TCC programs by implementing a process for development of unique TCC programs and/or use of standardized TCC programs.

1. Continue to explore the development of customized TCCs for both urban and rural areas.
   
   
2. Continue to develop TCCs that are applicable to high school dual enrollment and that are articulated with diploma and degree programs.

1B3. Become a regional training center for specific programs that are not widely available, to provide trained workers to implement the strategic directions of the State of Georgia.

1. Continue to be recognized as a major IT training center for all of Georgia and expand access to basic through advanced IT training and IT certification training and testing by providing TCC, diploma, degree, and post-degree programs at convenient sites throughout the service area and on weekends.
   
   
2. Continue to be recognized as a major medical training center for central Georgia and expand access to medical and medical certification training by providing TCC, diploma, degree, and post-degree programs where feasible in the service area and on weekends.
   
   
3. Continue to research and respond to the need for programs in community health, advanced information technologies, hospitality and cultural tourism, music and entertainment, sports, public and property safety, transportation and land use technologies, and environmental technologies.